With temperatures potentially plummeting as low as -8C later this month, and with reports of snow on the way, some are left baffled over how easily the weather can dramatically change in the UK
Brits have one question on their lips amid reports that temperatures could plummet as low as -8C. While parts of the UK today basked in 19C sunshine, with some temperatures expected to be higher than the Algarve this week, forecasters have suggested that change could soon be on the horizon.
In the next two weeks, it could reportedly be as cold as -8C, with some areas of the UK potentially being hit by snow, and Cumbria, Northumberland, and Durham could see the heaviest amounts on Wednesday, April 16. However, given many people see April as signalling the beginning of spring – and better weather – some have previously been left baffled by the prospect of snow.
In a Reddit post, one user asked: “Snow in London in April. Is this an April fools?”
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In response, other users filled the thread with comments about how regular, or not, snow is in April. “It’s not that odd. Happens fairly regularly,” wrote one. “I moved to Essex back in 2015 and every spring since it has snowed in either April or May, why does (almost) everyone that lives here get surprised every time?,” added another.
“It snows every year in April,” said a third. In response, someone else replied: “Every year I remind people that it will snow in April because of the messed up climate – every year people act surprised when it snows in April even though it’s happened with regularity in previous years.”
But just how common is snow at this time of year? According to Weather and Radar, seeing snowfall in April isn’t unheard of and, based on records from 1981 to 2010, it typically sees 2.3 days of snow on average. By comparison, November sees an average of 1.7 days.
Although snow might be more associated with winter months, there have been some cold April spells in previous years. Back in 2019, parts of England were hit by hill snow and sleet and the Met Office issued a yellow severe weather warning for parts of northern England, while snow was also seen in parts of the Midlands.
The Met Office refers to this unsettled sequence in its long-range forecast. Concerning the period of Tuesday April 8 to Thursday April 17, its website reads: “Overnight frosts are possible on clear nights where winds fall light. There is also the chance of some areas of low cloud or fog, notably around the east coast. Towards the middle of April, the weather may turn more unsettled as rain or showers try to push in from the west.”
There are 12 flood alerts in place across England alone at the moment despite the dry March. These include concern for Flamstead and surrounding areas in Hertfordshire, as well as groundwater flooding in the Salisbury Plain area in Wiltshire. The Environment Agency continues to monitor these alerts.
Despite the potential prospect of snow later on this month, much of the country is currently experiencing plenty of sunshine and blue skies. In Farnham, Surrey, temperatures reached 21C on Thursday and maps show 42 counties that will see a mini heatwave over the next couple of days as temperatures reach the 20Cs. Meanwhile, the second half of the weekend is expected to see more settled weather, though the temperature may start to dip.
BBC weather forecaster Chris Fawkes said: “We’ve got off to a very sunny start to the month already and there is loads more of that sunshine to come. The high pressure responsible probably hanging around pretty much until the middle part of the month so a lot more of the sun to look forward to.”
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